GUARDING THE EXISTENCE OF ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOLS UNTIL THEIR LEGALIZATION AS A FORMAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IN INDONESIA

Abstract

The role of the pesantren in expelling the invaders cannot be doubted. Hezbollah troops are evidence of the struggle for independence. As for the nation's development, pesantren leaders are at the forefront. They are K. H. Hasyim Asy'ari, K. H. Ahmad Dahlan, K. H. Wahid Hasyim, K. H. Zainal Mustofa and many more. With the myriad of achievements made by pesantren, it does not make pesantren a superior educational institution in Indonesia. The law governing pesantren as formal educational institutions were only passed in 2019. This study aims to reveal the existence of Islamic boarding schools from their inception until they were legalized as formal educational institutions in Indonesia. The type of research used is qualitative research with the triangulation method. The education culture of pesantren from the very beginning was the same as stated in Law no. 20 of 2003, namely education that is rooted in religious values, and national culture, and is responsive to the challenges of changing times. The oldest Islamic boarding school in Indonesia was founded in the 18th century, at that time there were no public educational institutions in Indonesia. The discourse on the recognition of pesantren as formal educational institutions has only existed since 2007 and was officially ratified in 2019. This is certainly surprising because pesantren have long carried out the goal of national education, namely to produce a generation of believers and piety and noble character. Affirming the facts that occurred, shows that the government seems to ignore the existence of pesantren education. The government's programs and support have so far been aimed at general education only. Therefore, there is a need for mutual escort and appreciation as well as an acknowledgment that Islamic boarding school education in Indonesia is of the same quality as other formal education.